Some B.C. businesses consider cutting ties with China amid political tension
CTV
From the imprisonment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in China, to Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou being held in Canada, diplomatic ties between the two nations have been strained.
From the imprisonment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in China, to Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou being held in Canada, diplomatic ties between the two nations have been strained.
With that, some B.C. businesses are reconsidering their trans-pacific connections. Anita Huberman, president of the Surrey Board of Trade, says she’s heard from Surrey-based companies that are considering moving their business dealings out of China and into different Asian and European markets.
“There is hesitancy in doing business with China,” said Huberman. She believes the seemingly arbitrary detainment of the two Michaels, followed by their swift release once Meng was cleared to leave Canada, has left businesses questioning the moral values of China.
“Ethics and sustainable relationships with common values is very important to businesses today.”
From an economic standpoint, however, doing business with China makes sense. Hussain Khatheer is a Vancouver-based general contractor who purchases a portion of his building supplies out of China. He lauds the materials as high quality with a low price.
“Nobody has the manufacturing capabilities of China,” says Khatheer, general manager and co-founder of Vancouver General Contracting. “Nor do they have the ability to ensure and deliver the logistical aspect of things.”
Khatheer says there are other countries, for example, Vietnam and India, offering similar products, but China still has the best prices. Given the recent tensions around Meng and the two Michaels, Khatheer understands why businesses would want to cut ties with the country, but it’s a risk he isn’t willing to take.
